Pouring from an Empty Cup
“Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—God never asked you to pour from an empty cup.”
About
I’m Edmund T. Sherrill—pastor, author, and encourager. Writing has become an extension of my ministry, a way to reach beyond the pulpit and speak directly to the heart. My first book was born out of real experiences of giving, serving, and sometimes running on empty, and it reflects the lessons God taught me in those seasons.
This space is more than just a site—it’s an invitation. Here you’ll find my latest book, updates on upcoming projects, resources for pastors and church leaders, and words of encouragement for anyone who’s ever felt worn down but still called to keep going.
Thank you for visiting. My prayer is that what you discover here not only strengthens you for your journey, but also reminds you that you are seen, valued, and never alone.
"How do you heal others while quietly breaking?"
Pouring from an Empty Cup: The Silent Struggles of Black Pastors offers a unique and deeply personal exploration of the emotional, spiritual, and cultural burdens carried by Black pastors across America. This timely book sheds light on the often-unseen battles faced by those called to serve their communities, even while battling burnout, isolation, systemic injustice, and the weight of unrealistic expectations.
Through raw reflections, real-life testimonies, and insightful commentary, this work uncovers the hidden toll of ministry in Black churches. It explores the mental health crisis in faith leadership, the pressure to be everything to everyone, and the loneliness that comes from always being expected to pour—but rarely being poured into.
This book is more than a cry for help—it's a call to action. It's a call to action for churches, congregations, communities, and the leaders themselves to recognize and address the silent struggles of Black pastors.
Why Preorder?
✔️ Be the first to receive your copy upon release
✔️ Help raise awareness about the mental and spiritual health of faith leaders
Perfect for:
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Pastors, ministers, and church leaders
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Faith-based organizations
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Mental health professionals
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Seminary students
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Allies and community members who care
"This book doesn't just speak truth—it sets it free."
So, order your copy today and stand in solidarity with the voices that have long gone unheard.
These pages don’t whisper—they shout what’s been silenced for too long.
Why this Book?
“Even leaders need a place to be refilled.”
What happens when the one who’s supposed to pour into others runs dry?
Exhaustion. Doubt. Isolation. For too many pastors and leaders, burnout feels like the price of commitment. We keep showing up, thinking it’s strength—while quietly breaking on the inside.
We spend more time surviving than truly living.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Healthy leadership starts with a healthy leader.
That’s where I come in.
As a pastor, author, and chaplain, I’ve spent years walking alongside leaders, caregivers, and people of faith who give endlessly yet rarely feel replenished themselves. Through Pouring from an Empty Cup, I help leaders move from exhaustion to overflow—finding rest, boundaries, and renewed purpose without guilt or shame.
This mission is deeply personal. I’ve carried the invisible weight of grief, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to be everything to everyone. I know what it’s like to pray for others while feeling dry myself. And I know the courage it takes to admit, “I’m not okay.”
My journey taught me that burnout isn’t holy, rest is not weakness, and healing is not failure—it’s part of being human. Again, why this book? I want the same breakthrough for you.
Let’s refill your cup… together.
-Edmund T. Sherrill
Click below to order your copy and start reading!
